Two Peas In a Pod

Two Peas

In a Pod

Students today eagerly wear uniforms for sports such as football and baseball as well as activities like cheerleading, ROTC and 4H. Why then, is there a reluctance to wear a uniform while attending school? Schools should require students to wear a uniform which would allow each student to attend school with more or less the same status among his or her peers. Too much emphasis is placed on individual dress which can lead to cliques and bullying that is counter to a learning culture. In addition, uniforms would prevent students dressing in a manner that is demeaning to them. Some will argue that requiring uniforms takes away from the person’s ability to be an individual while others feel it violates a student’s right to freedom of self expression. This is an unfounded fear. There are many ways a student can express his or her freedom of expression and individuality while still being required to wear a uniform.
Although at this time no long term case studies have been done on the effectiveness of school uniforms some schools have studied and recorded their experiences. In one such case California Long Beach Unified School district adopted a mandatory uniform policy in 1994. Since this time school crime has dropped 76% and attendance has reached an all time high. While it cannot be proved that uniforms made the difference, the circumstantial evidence cannot be ignored. Anthony Poet, Asst. Principle of Pueblo Del Sol middle school Arizona who recently implemented a uniform policy, agrees kids do not like uniforms but states “The kids who hated the idea are glad to have it in place”. In the words of a student “uniforms make the school safer, but I do not like wearing them” (Family Education).
Sadly enough some children are ridiculed for what they are wearing because their family cannot afford the latest fashion trend. If uniforms are required every child would be visually equal, there would be no hierarchy based on your clothing label. The “dress to impress” attitude would be removed from the school day. According to Dr. Alan Hilfer Senior psychologist in the Maimondies Medical Center in Brooklyn: “Uniforms do eliminate competition, pressure and assaults perpetuated by older kids on younger kids for their sneakers and other possessions. They also allow some kids to focus better, especially in the lower grades.” This would leave students with their free choice of friends based on who they are rather than what they wear.
Every day it seems students push the limits of the school dress code. Uniforms would take care of the “judgment” of each individual as to what they call appropriate dress. What one person calls appropriate may be totally inappropriate for a healthy productive learning environment. While it is true that schools would actually have to enforce the rules, the job will be much easier with a uniform as the students only choice.
However tough a lesson it is discipline is something that we all have to get used to at some point in our lives. We will all be accountable to some higher authority. Teaching our children this early will help them make the transition into adulthood. For instance, in the workplace, uniforms are seen everywhere. The military, police departments, airlines etc. all requires uniforms that distinguish them as employees giving the employee a distinct look. Does this violate the employee’s freedom? If it did, we would see pilots in shorts, police officers in swimsuits and firefighters in drag. According to Dr. Alan Hilfer, senior psychologist in the Children and adolescent Unit at Maimondies Medical Center in Brooklyn: “Discipline problems may be decreasing in schools with uniforms because the school and the parents have begun taking the discipline issue more seriously.” Nevertheless some feel requiring a student to wear a uniform violates the student’s right to be themselves. Are they really being themselves or are they trying to fit in, going along with the latest style or trend? Individuality is defined in Webster’s dictionary 2007 edition as: “personality, character, distinction, difference, uniqueness.” While personality, character, distinction, difference and uniqueness can be expressed by clothing, school is not the place to do that. There are plenty of opportunities at school to be distinct, unique and different in ways that do not involve dress. Academic distinction, unique writing and creative art works are just a few of the many ways students can express their individuality. To say a uniform takes away students individuality is untrue, much like saying members of a football team wearing uniforms are all the same. The uniform brings unity to the team. Students wearing uniforms could bring more unity to the school. According to the National Association of Secondary School Principals, “Clothing requirements are not considered a violation of their freedom of expression if there’s a valid educational reason for imposing them.” (Wingert, 1999)
Implementing uniforms into our school system will be a positive step towards a better education environment while still allowing students to be creative, showing their individuality in the work they do through writing, achievement, artwork, etc. Mandatory uniforms will help to provide a safer school environment. If a uniform saves just one kid from being ridiculed or beaten it’s worth it. In addition, schools should be a place where nothing gets in the way of a student receiving an education. While some may say that mandatory uniforms are a violation of a student’s rights, the evidence and the law do not support that. Finally, and for me most importantly, uniforms will bring back a level of decency to the school campus. School uniforms are a good idea, good for the schools and good for the students.
Reference:
Hilfer, Dr. Alan. "School Uniforms Pros/Cons." Family Education.Com. Maimonides Medical Center Brooklyn. 25 Spring 2007 .
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Poet, Anthony. "School Uniforms Pros and Cons." http://school.familyeducation.com/educational-philosophy/individuality/38676.html. Asst Principal Pueblo Del Sol Middle School Arizona. 16 May-June 2007 httpschool.familyeducation.com.
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Kizis, Sarah
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